Time delay system



March zo, 194s. 2,371,981

W. FEW

TIME DELAY SYSTEM Fl'ed May 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. FEW

TIME DELAY SYSTEM Filed May 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /nrcnfor Y y Patented Mar. 20, 1945 TIME DELAY SYSTEM William Few, Cleveland, Ohio, assigner to The ClarkController Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio ApplicationMay 2 1942, Serial No. 441,555

(Cl. Z50- 27) 15' Claims;

This invention relatesto electronic timing'systems of the type in4 which, ponthe, closing of aw control circuit, a. time` period elapses. at the endof which a work circuit or circuitto'be controlled is automatically energized.

The underlying principles of thev invention may bevariously embodied, but the-particular embodiment thereof chosen for illustrative purposes herein comprises among other features the fol-- lowing. The system is an alternating` current system. The circuit to be controlled or timed includes .the winding oan electro-magnetic relay and the anode andcathode of an electronic-tubel it normally prevents the iiow of cathode to anodev current in the relay winding. circuit. (Current iiow herein` isconsidered as inthe direction ofl l the flow of the electrons) Upon closing a con-- trol circuit by a control contacter, the condenser begins to discharge at a retarded rate and at the end of a time period it no longer energizes` the;

grid sufficiently to inhibit the tube and cathodeanode current thenflowsenergizing and operat.-

ing the relay andmaintaining it operated so long.

as, the control circuit contactor is maintained closed. The relay. energizing circuit may itself` be considered asthe Workcirouit, or contacts on the relay may be provided to control extraneous.

load circuits as will be understood.

Timing systems of this ygeneral type have heretofore been proposed buthavehad certain objections and defects among which are the following.

The grid potential, whichas stated isvderived from the diminishing potential ofthe discharging condenser, may reach the tube firing values sometimes at an earlier and sometimes at a later point in the half waveofthe alternatingpotential impressed on the anode and cathode, or it may reach the tube firing value at an earlierV or later half Wave, soV that the totaltime interval of i the system represented by the number of half waves between the` time the condenser starts to discharge `andthe time of firing, varies and is notaccurately predeterminable.

Againin prior systems of. this` type, the condenser discharge circuit is customarily closed: to

sta-rt the time interval by a contactor, which for Y practical convenenceis sometimes; located remotely from the timing apparatus, andconnected tor it by conductors, and some of the charge leaks out throughthese conductors. and since the leal:-Y

agek is variablebecause ofy extraneous variable conditions, the discharge rate of the condenser is diierent at different times and the time period accordingly varies and is not accurately predeterminable.

Again, prior systems of this type are subject to the objection that after the condenser has discharged to timeone interval, a lapse of time must be allowed for it to charge again preparatory for timing another interval, this lapse of time being recognized and referred to as afm-setting time. Besides the delay between timed intervals which this imposes, there is another disadvantage. The starting of succeeding time intervals is sometimes underv the control of anoperators contactor. and the operator may not Wait for the resetting interval to elapse and for the condenser to become fully charged, and by such premature operation of the contactor he will cause the timing apparatus to time a shorter interval than that for whichit was adjusted.

Again in such-prior systems, the adjustment of the time interval is effected by anmually adjusting the capacity. of the timing condenser, or by adjusting a resistance in the system, by adjusting means having an indicating dial scale. Such adjustment cannot in any case be made with absolute accuracy, a percentage of error being usually to be expected; but such adjustments as heretofore provided introduce a greater percentage of error at one portion of the scale than at another, so that the unavoidable error in adjusting the time interval is variable, and adjustment of. the time interval cannot be satisfactorily effected.

It is among the objects of the present invention:

To provide a timing system of the general type referred to in which the foregoing objections to such systems as heretofore devised are obviated.

Other objects are, to provide a timing system of the type referred to in which improvements are effected: by causing the firing of the tube to occur at a steeper portion of the discharge curve-,of the timing condenser (that is while the condenser charge changes more rapidly), than has heretofore been possible; and by causing the timing condenser to be re-charged immediately at the endA of each time interval which it times by its discharge, and without thereby again inhibiting the tube and stopping the current flow; and by causing the adjustment of the time interval to be made by an adjustment means having a logarithmic dial scale; and by causing the said resetting time.v to be reduced to the minimum. These and other improvements and objects and the means by which they are accomplished will become clear hereinafter.

My invention is fully disclosed in the following description taken in connection with the accom,

panying drawings in which,

nections of Fig. 1 are made in the operationl thereof Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating ceri tain potential and current conditions occurring in the operation of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to a part of Fig. 4 to a different scale and illustrating the effects of an adjustment feature of Fig. l

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating in more detail the adjusting rheostat shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

It is to be borne in mind that in systems 0f this general type as heretofore proposed, when the condenser is fully charged, the tube grid energized thereby inhibits the tube and prevents cathodeanode current from flowing in the work circuit, but that after the condenser charge has been diminished to time a timer interval and then ceases inhibiting the tube, half waves of current begin to flow in the work circuit. lit is. usually desirable to keep the work circuit current flowing for a time after it starts. Therefore (in the absence of other provisions) the condenser` cannot be recharged for timing the next interval until after the work circuit current ,has been interrupted, because recharging the condenser would again inhibit the tube and stop current. Thus (in the absence of other provisions) after the work circuit current has been cut off, a resetting time interval must be allowed to elapse to give the condenser time to charge to its inhibiting value before another time interval can be timed. In the system hereindescribed, means is provided by which the condenser can, nevertheless, be im mediately recharged after it discharges and without thereby inhibiting the tube and stopping the work circuit current flow, whereby the resetting time is obviated with the advantages mentioned hereinbefore.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings is shown at I an electronic tube, preferably of the gas filled type,` and having an anode 2, a control grid 3 and a cathode 4, the cathode being of the heated type, and the tube being a rectifier type tube. A suitable tube is the commercial R. C. A. 2050 or 2051.

At 5 is a transformer, having a primary 6 connected to a supply of alternating potential by wires 'l-l', and having a secondary which may conveniently be considered in two parts 8 and A9, determined by a tap connection at I0. Suitable potentials for the secondaries 8 and 9 are '70 volts and 80 volts respectively.

At II is the timing condenser, and at l2 is a discharging resistance connected permanently in parallel therewith, a suitable capacity value for the condenser being 1 microfarad and a suitable resistance for the unit I2 being two megohms.

At I3 is the operators contactor referred to.

. At I4 is the winding `of a magnetic relay, diagrammatically illustrated, and comprising a contact arm I5 pivotally supported at IB, and normally rocked around the pivot by a spring l1 to engage, in normally closed condition, a contact I8. At I9 is a contact, normally disengaged. At .20

are normally open contacts, which are closed by` Otherresistance units are shown in rocking of the arm I5 to close an extraneous work circuit 2 I.

The winding I4 is bridged by a hold-over condenser 22 and a resistor 23 in series therewith, for the usual purpose of keeping the winding I4 energized during the half' Wave periods when no cathode-anode current is flowing.

A suitable capacity value for the condenser 22 is one microfarad and a suitable value for the re' sistance unit 23 is 500 ohms. I

Fig. l having suitable resistance values as follows: a unit `24 of 250 ohms; a unit 25 of 2.500 ohms; a unit 26 of '750 ohms; a unit 21 of 7500 ohms; a unit 22 of 5,000 ohms; and an adjustable unit 29 of 10,000 ohms.

The various circuit connections of the system not thus far described will now be described in connection with a description of its operation as a whole.

This description may be read with reference to Fig. 1 showing the entire system, andfor greater convenience and clearness and description may also be read vin connection with Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 2 in solid line illustrating the functioning parts of the system by which the timing condenser II is charged and maintained charged awaiting the timing of a time interval; and the dotted line parts of Fig. 2 illustrating additionally the functioning parts of the system when the operators contactor has rst been closed and the time interval prior to firing of the tube is running; and Fig. 3 illustrating the functioning parts of the system after the tube has red and the relay, shown generally at 30 Fig. l, has operated and the timing condenser recharges.

Assuming that the operators contacter i3 is open and that the transformer primary 6 is connected to a suitable source of alternating potential, the timing condenser II is brought up to charge and maintained charged by the potential of the transformer secondary 9, plus the potential drop across the resistance unit 25, the charging current flowingfrom the right hand end of the secondary 9, by wire 13|, through the resistance unit 2l, to the `tube cathode 4, to the grid 3, through the resistance unit 28, through the condenser ljl, by wire I32, to and through the resistance unit 25, to the tap connection IU.

As to the potential drop through the resistance unit 25, it will be observed that a loop, see Fig. 2, comprising the resistance units 24, 29 (adjustable), and 25, is connected across the secondary 8, as shown; this loop, as in Fig. 1, including a wire ISS, contact I8, arm I5, and a wire 134. The current owing in this loop under the impulsion of the potential of the secondary 3, causes potential drop in each of the three resistance units of which the unit 25 is one, and the potential drop through the unit 25 is added to the potential of the secondary 9 to constitute the charging voltage as described. I

It is assumed for the present discussion that the resistor 29 is adjusted to have one half of it in the circuit; and with the values given above, the charging voltage will therefore be approximately 102 volts (effective value).

In this charging circuit the grid 3 is negative with respect to thev cathode `4, and the charged condenser maintains it negative as indicated by the polarity thereof in the drawings, so that when potential is impressed upon the cathode and anode, as will presently appear, the grid will in` abcveamentioneaf alternating'i' currentiiniciessc4 f ma* the? train. of hun', waves: 3jr-3| repriesexitr` the lfialf' waves' or potential which will mail4lv able torcause cathode-anode current toiflowfiii'thef relay winding. circuit;` the-wave' 32K representgthe'f up'h? lie Cathode 41 and grid? 3 fr'chfglng the' condenser Hf, the lia'lc waves 3-33fon1y1'abovef the: line supplying churgin'gvcurrentf because or the rectifier action of the tube between the-cathode?V and grid; The line .f 34@ represents* the f potentiall ot' thechargedl condenser, thefleft handend 0fl the figure"y showingr the conditions at ai time when theconden'ser is chargedi The peaks-tori the potential: veeel-33, shown', risef slightly above" the line." 3E of the-i wuves crisi-,and each-li'altwaveza oilcharging' lriiiteriti'all supplies" charging current toi' the" coh-y denser ||f to. compensate-- for thelea'kage there# froml occurring' through theY resistor I2; the o'l*- dimite distancey ofi the line: 34 ffointhe line 3f representing the? potential of the charged?V cori'-` denser. The line 34 is represented as a1stra'i'ght` line for'slmplication it being understoodfbythoise skilled inf the art" that it' will? not' be rectilinear because of the` cyclical input' ofcondenser cur"-v rent and lealfagev therefromv through' the resistor" I2?, th'elin'e-3`4 thereforerepresenting the average-ofthe condenser potential Wheni'llllycliarged. The' condenser thus being' charged asstted.' it-will'be assumed that the contactor IZfisnow closed` to start the running` of' al time iiitiva'li Aia-shown in bothlFgs. 1T an'dfz, and perti'cularllrby` the1 dotted'llhe part of Fig.4 2; cls'llie of tthe' contacter |3 connects the cathodew1A ofthe'ftube tofthe'lett hand endof the s;e'cox'1`dar','l lil-92; Ehe right hand end'ofthe secoficiar-y1'8&9':T is* already' connected'througiiithe winding Idofthe relayfsn to4 the anode 2y ofv they tube, so-'that the full.'4v po'- tential.y o1' the transformer' isirnplus'sedy across the: anode'andithe cathode of the tube prepara-ltoryV to causing' halff waves" ofi curreiitf to" dow'- through the tube and relay' winding',Y butf this new is temporarily iniiibiteubyf then'ega'tive Ther closing off tliercontactor' la also causes-the impressed potential between the"T cathode"v and' grid'ato be of reduced value; namely'that'shown bythe 'wavefaa Fig, 4'wnich`is'insumcent to theV condenser? charged' so that' it dischargesv through itsresistor |24; This potntialfwave': 36? furthermore is superimposed upon-tIie-disch'arg# ing" potential of' the condenser.' In Fig.' 4,y the' even, ca dii-ect'- connection is Vmadeironfrtherr cath`- u ode' 4 to" the" left' hand end of? the" transformer" secondary'by th'ewire 38: The potentialacross'v the cathode and g'riii'is no'wtherefore onlyth'at' dueto' thedrop'throu'ghithe resist-orsi: 2B a'n'd '29." The circuit'may beco'risidered as tracedf'from theY left iicnuenccf'tnesecondary s'; bywire' sai, 70

throughcontactor |3', tothe cathode't; to' grid 3j through the' condenser" II; and'' by wire |32 through` the resistors* 29' and 2 4i: With the resisf tor.' 2.91 adjustedfto one haIfitS-vame; the poten@ Referrin'gistolig. 4--again; the: potential4 on; grid 3 being representedv byfthei-wave; it'lwill`` beiotservedf that thef-y p'eaksfiof ther wavef 36* aoproachf clo'eiff andi' closer 4to theA curves 39 asso; cit'edl with each" potential wave 3 I, the curves 39?? representing" the; characteristic ofi theV tubei. tliatis tsy; the 'minimum"negativefpotential of thgrid' which Willinhbit theitube. At the potentiale wave' 31A'. av peak' ot-A the wave 365 as i shown at 36A crosses the curve 39- andthereiore the` tuberes:

The* tii'rie interval referred" tois` represented5 by-f the` number? of half Waves during which the condenser-f was discharging, and'f in Fig. 4 this: isf-represented by the number of halt wavesbe# twh ythe half 'WEVEIB and the half W'aVeSIA. In'practicef there will probably be agreater of hlf waves? than thosefllustr'ated butfa.'V small numberha'sbeen ill-ust'rated'to confinethe snowing toa; singleIir/i'ear diagrams Wherif the tube fires@ as? described on the half waveS'I'AfofFigi' 4, current 'flowsthrough there'- layfwlndin'g |42 under' theinipulsion of ythe potential' of' both secon'd'a'res8lV andf- 9', and? the current' may be traced from the lefthandfend' ofthe' secondary 8,?- b'yfwire 3'8` through contactor' I3, to" the cathode 4,- tothe anode 2, throughthey winding Il andhackto the righthan'd end'ofthe Secondary-9i If desired; agre'aterv potential than this maybe' iii'ad'e' available to yoperate the relay` and this. has" beenlindicated by the dottedfline portionkQA" ofy theI secondary, th'atis'to' say," the wi'i'e'dlfleadin'g' from the lower end of the winding |4 to the transferir-1er may befconnected tothe ladditional secondaryv portion? SAY at the point 41 instead lof being'connected tothe secondary 9"at the 'point' 427i I'i'ie inertiaf of the parts ofthev 'relayl 3U may prevent? its operation lon'fthel rst half wave,-l 3| Ai andafwh'alf waves ofclirrent mayflo'w before? it operates sufficiently tofbreak'contact at the closed co'rjtactf-isiand makecontact at the 'opent ciltact |95, and thSis-'rpi'eseiitedin Fi'g; 4'by" tlriehalff waves' betweenV thefwave SIA and the wavef`3IC.

When' the relay does ful-ly operate'however as at the wave 31C oi' Fig 41 and shifts the contact" connections refrredfto, it remainsoperated'so long a's theflcontactor"|3'ii'emains closed; andthe condenser is immediately su'bj'ctcdto a charg ing potential which' after afew' half cycles bringsitu'p agai` toiull charge but Without therebyVv inhibiting the-tube, this actionbeing referred'tof hereinv as'\ 'iechargir'i'gwthe condenser; and" theA circuits therefor may' be' traced in either Fig; 1 orfFi'g', Y A

Shifting oi' the 'contacts- |8`v and I9 =by' the-'relay' now'tn'rows aloop across-V` the secondary s'icomprising the resistors 25, 29a2`n'dv` ZS' The poterli* ti'atl'of the secondary sftiierefore drops'through these'three' resistors' of* which" theresistor 25' isy o'rie Potential l is'f impressed? upo'l'i the condenser'v charging circuit comprising the'l potentiall oi. the secondary' ai' piusf thek drop through"- theA resistor 2523-' The circuit mayfbe traced from'V the' lefty liariden'cil of the secondary 8, by" the wire 38' through thec'orit'actor` I3t th'eca'thode 4, thence'4 to'ltiicgrid 3, tlfienceV through the condenser, and by wire |32; through' the resistor "25?, to the tap' point' ID. With"v the resistor'29'st1ll iniits half v'lufadjusted' condition, thispotential willbev approximately 94 voltsv (effective). i l, This potentialisieprcsented by the weven-in Fig. lv andi'- the potential off' the'- charging" cori-- denser, orthe average thereof` is represented by the rising'potential line 44. Y l

This recharging potential (94 volts effective) is slightly less than the charging potential (102 volts effective) described hereinbefore; 4and is made so because the tube is passing main current between the cathode and anode, and therefore the voltage drop between the cathode and grid through which the charging current is flowing'is now less.

As shown in Fig. 4, the peaks of the recharging potential 43 cross and go above the characteristic curves 39 of each of the half waves beginning with and subsequent to the half wave SIC, at which latter the recharging began, so that these peaks cause the tube to keep ring on each successive-.half wave. As shown in Fig. 4, the condenser potential 44 approaches the full charge value represented by the line 34 and ultimately will attain full charge at a point outside the limits of the drawing but-even at full charge the peaks of the recharging potential 43 cross the characteristic lines 39 and cause the tube to re on each half wave notwithstanding that the condenser becomes fully charged. l

In this connection it may be stated that at the left hand end of Fig. 4 while the potential wave 32 was keeping the condenser charged, and a1- though the peaks of the half waves 33 of this potential cross the characteristic curve 39 `of the tube, the tube did not nre because, the contacter I3 being open, there was no potential impressed upon the cathode and anode of the tube, see Figs. '1 and 2.

If Inow the contactor I3. be opened again, theI potential across the cathode and anode is removed and the tube stops iiring for that reason. Since the recharging potential on the condenser recharges it very quickly it will, in all practical uses of the system, be fully charged when the contacter I3 is opened, or, if not fully charged, will very quickly come up to full charge, because opening of the contactor I3 and the consequent restoring of the relay contacts I8 and I9 to their original condition subjects the condenser to the original charging potential of the wave 32 as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The socalled re-setting time is therefore completely eliminated or reduced to a negligibly small time. We may consider now the adjustment of the time interval, in .connection with Fig. 5. The condenser discharge curve 31, and the potential 36 superimposed thereon, are here reproduced from Fig. 4, and the peak of the resultant discharge wave 36 res the tube on the half wave 3IA, by being above the characteristic curve 39 as at 36A, in Fig. 4. It will be understood that the circuit is in the condition of Fig. 2 with the contacter I3 closed, and the adjustable resistor 29 adjusted to sayit middle position.

As described above, the potential to which the condenser was charged was determined by the sum of the potentials of the secondary 9 and the drop through the resistor 25.

If now the resistor 29 be adjusted to include less of its resistance in the loop 24-29-25, see Fig. 2. then therewill be more drop through the resistor 25, and the chargingpotential on the condenser will be greater and its charge will be greater, so that when it begins to discharge it will discharge along a line represented by 31A in Fig. 5, which as shown has greater ordinate values than the discharge line 3l.

, concurrently, when the contactor I3 is closed, and the condenser begins to discharge with alternatng potential superimposed thereon, the

amplitude of this alternating potential will be- 10 It will thus be seen that adjusting the resistor 29 (say to reduce its effective resistance) has the` joint eect of changing the value of .theicharge on the condenser (to increase it) and of changing the amplitude (to reduce it) of the wave superimposed upon the condenser curve. Both of these eiects operate to change the time interval. For example in Fig. 5, the condenser charge being higher as indicated by the dischargeline 31A and the amplitude of the imposed potential being less as indicated by the curve 36A, the tube will re von the half wave 3ID instead of on the wave 3|A.

Thus the -time interval of the system as described -may be adjustably varied over a wide range-byV the adjustment of the amount of resistance of the resistor 29 in the circuit.

-In some cases itmay be desirable to adjustably control the timed interval, from a position remote from the rest of the system and the means 30 for doing this is indicated in Fig. 1 whereI the adjusting resistor 29 is shown as in a unit 45 connected to the system by wires 46 and 4l which may be of any desired length as indicated by the dotted line showing of these wires. Since the rate of discharge of the condenser II occurs solely through the resistor I.2. permanently connected across it, its rate of discharge for any given linitial charge will always be the same. In prior systems.v the time interval has been ad- 4g justed by adjusting the value of a resistor corresponding to the resistor I2, and when remote control-has been wanted, the resistor (I2) has been disposed remotely with respect to the condenser; and variable leakage between the wires connecting the resistor I2 to the condenser, due

to variable extraneous conditions, has in such systems caused the discharge time of the condenser to vary. Such variations of the time interval have been reduced to a negligible minimum in the present system by the arrangement described,

because even ifthe wires 46 and 4l be of rela` tively great length and disposed close together so that leakage between them might occur, such leakage has a negligible effect upon the time interval because the resistor 29 functions bythe.

drop of potential across its terminals.

Adjustment of the time interval therefore is made by adjusting the resistor 29. As in common practice, adjustment of this resistor would preferably be made in connection with an indicating dial scale. In Fig. 6 is illustrated the resistor in connectionwith such a dial scale, and this figure also illustrates another advantage of my invention, namely, that the time interval adjusting scale-may be a logarithmic-scale. The scale is indicated by the -numbers 1 to 7 just outside vof the resistor 29. y (No attempt has been made to make this scale accurately logarithmic in the drawings. but its logarithmic character is indicated by the decreasing distances between adjacent numbers of the scale as they proceed from 1 upwardly.)l The ohmic resistance of the resistor 29 is preferably uniform for equal lengths thereof from end to end. The numbers of the scale indicate the '75 time interval of thesystem for diierent positions ofthe contact 48. In setting anykind of a dial to a point on a scale, particularly when done manually, a certain amount of error is to be expected. But it is an obvious advantage to have sucherror produce at all parts of the scale the same percentage of error in the end result. It is Well-known that with a resistor uniform from end to end and for a logarithmic scale Ito indicate the amount'of resistance in the circuit, equal linear errors in the setting of the dial to vary the resistance produce equal percentages of error in the total amount of resistance in the circuit. With a resistor such as the resistor 29 connected in the circuit as describedabove, the positions to which the contact 48 must be moved to change the time interval by equal'amounts (for example seconds) will correspond to points one logarithmic scale. The aforesaid advantages of the logarithmic scale may therefore be enjoyed with the type of interval controlherein disclosed.

My invention is not limited to the exact details ofthe circuits illustrated and described. ,Changes and modiiications may be made ywithin the spirit of my invention without sacrificing its advantages and my invention .Comprehends all such changes and modifications which come VWithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: i

1. vvIn Van Ainterval timingv arrangement, a source ofalternating potential, an electronic tubehaving principal ,electrodes and having a control zgrid, a work circuit comprising the principal electrodes,

-a ,timing vcondenser connected to the grid `and normally maintained `charged by cathode-grid current from'scurce-derived potential toa tube inhibiting value,means to` subject the workcircuit to source lderived potential and to initiate Ydischarge of :the condenser and after a time interval of discharging'to cause'theptube to -re andenergize thework circuit, and means torecharge the .condenser by cathode-grid Jcurrent concurrently with continued energization ofthe work circuit.

, 2. In `an `interval timing arrangement, ,asource of alternating potential, a lwork circuit, *,an electronic tube :having principal electrodes in ithe .work `circuit and vhaving a :control gridsJ vtiming .condenser connected to .the grid, `means .to nor.- Ymally charge the condenser byv cathodefgrid 4current fromsource-derived potential lto a `tube kinhibiting value, switch means and circuit vmeans controlled thereby kto impress upon the'fwork circuitsource-derived potential and to initiate discharge of t-he condenser t cause the tube, ,after a :time ,interval of discharging, .to Yfire ,on successivehalf Waves of 'impressed potentialand ener- .gize the work circuit, andmeans yto recharge the condenser to said value by cathode-grid Vcurrent concurrentlywith continued firing of the tube.

3; In an interval timing arrangement, a source `of :alternating potential, a Work circuit, an elecl:tronic tube having principal electrodes .in vthe 'work circuit and having a contro1-grid,a .timing Vcondenser connected tothe grid, means to normally ymaintain the condenser charged by cathiode-grid current from source-derived potential to a. tube inhibiting value, switch-means andcircuit means controlled vthereby to impress source-derived potential upon the work circuit, v.and to initiate discharge of the condenser, and to super- '.impose source derived alternating potential on the condenserpotential to cause the tube, after a 'time interval of condenser discharging, to lire on -successive half waves of the impressed potential 1and energize the :Work circuit, the superimposed potential being phased to fcause'athe'tube :to-.begin t5 to fire substantially'at a peak thereof and means to increase the amplitude of the superimposed potential .to cause it to recharge the condenser to said value bycathode-grid current, concurrently with continued firing of the tube.

4. In aninterval timing arrangement, a source of alternating potential, a Work circuit, an electronic tube having principal electrodes in the work circuit and having a control gridl a timing condenser Vconnected to the grid, means to normally=charge the `condenser from source-derived potential to a tube inhibiting value,switch means and circuit means controlled thereby to impress source-derived potential upon the Work circuit, and to initiatedischarge of the condenser, and to superimpose source-derived alternating potential on ythe condenser discharging potential to cause the tube, after a time interval of condenser discharging, to re on successive half Waves of the impressed potential and energize the work circuit, the superimposed potential being phased to cause the tube to nre at a peak thereof, and means to increase the amplitude of the superim# posed potential to cause it to recharge the condenser to `said value concurrently with continued ring of the tube.

5. In an interval timing arrangement, a source of valternating potential, a vWork circuit, an electronic tube having principal electrodes in the Work-circuit and having a control grid, a timing condenser connected to the grid, a discharging circuit for the condenser, Va transformer energized from Lthe source and having two -secondaries, a loop of adjustable,resistanceconnected across one secondary. y.a yrstvcircuit vfor charging the condenser by Vgrid currentenergized by the potential of .the other secondary and by a part of the potential drop inthe .loop and means responsive to energization of the ,work circuit for connecting asecond `loop of adjustable resistance across the other secondary and for recharging the condenser concurrentll with energization of the work circuit by the potential of the one secondary and a part ,of the drop in the second loop.

`6. In an interval timing arrangement, a source Yof alternating potential, a Work circuit, an electronic tube Yhaving principal electrodes in the work circuit andhaving a control grid, a normally charged timing condenser connected to the grid, a transformer energized from the vsource and hav- -ing -a secondary, Ameans to initiate discharge .of

.the condenser, circuit means to energize the work ,circuit through the principal electrodes .of vthe tube lfrom secondar -derived potential, after a time'interval of condenser discharging, a loop vof adjustableresistance connected across a part of .the secondarya recharging circuit for recharging the condenser concurrently vwith continued energizationfof the work-circuit, energized by the potential ,of ,another part ofthe secondary and by a .part of thepotential drop in theloop, and means responsive lto Ienergization of the ,Work circuit `to close thevrecharging circuit.

7. :Invan interval timing arrangement, a source of .alternating potential, a work circuit, an electronic tube having principal electrodes in the -work circuit and having 4a controlgrid, a normally charged timing condenser Vconnected to the grid, artransformer energized from the source and havfing 4a secondary, means `to initiate discharge of the condenser, circuit means to energize the work .circuit through ,the principal electrodes of the tube from source-derived potential after a `time .interval of -condenser discharging, `a loop of ad- ;iustablefresistance connected across a part of the secondary, a recharging circuit for rechargingthe condenser concurrently with continued energization of the work circuit energized by the potential of another part of the secondary and by a part of the potential drop in the loop, and means responsive to energization of the work circuit to close the recharging circuit, the adjustable resistance' of the loop comprising a rheostat the movable element of which is provided with a dial and a logarithmic dial-position indicating scale.

8. The method of timing successive intervals with a condenser and a three element electronic tube having its principal electrodes in a work circuit, without introducing a condenser recharging interval, which includes: charging the condenser, impressing alternating potential upon the principal electrodes of the tube, subjecting the grid of the tube t the discharging potential of the condenser to cause the tube to re and pass current to the work circuit on successive half waves of the impressed potential after a time interval of condenser discharging, and then immediately recharging the condenser preparatory to timing the next succeeding interval, by an alternating recharging potential applied to the condenser through the grid circuit concurrently with iiow of current in the Work circuit, and so phased with respect to the impressed potential that the energization of the grid thereby causes the tube to continue to lire on successive half waves and continue to pass current to the work circuit while the condenser is recharging.

9. In an interval timing arrangement, a source of alternating potential, an electronic tube having principal electrodes and having a control grid, a work circuit comprising the principal electrodes, a timing condenser permanently connected to the grid and normally maintained charged by sourcederived potential to a value which normally inhibits the tube control means and circuit means controlled by operation of the control means to initiate discharge of the condenser and subject the work circuit to source derived potential and after va time interval of discharging to cause the tube to fire and energize the work circuit and maintain it energized so long as the control means is maintained operated, and to cause the condenser to recharge concurrently with continued energization of the work circuit.

10. In an interval timing arrangement, a source of alternating potential, a work circuit, an electronic tube having principal electrodes in the Work circuit and having a control grid, a timing condenser permanently connected to the grid,

means to normally charge the condenser from source-derived potential to a tube inhibiting value, switch means and circuit means controlled thereby upon operation of the switch means to impress upon the work circuit source-derived potential and to initiate discharge of the condenser to cause the tube, after a time interval of discharging, to fire on successive half waves of impressed potential and energize the work circuit, and means to recharge the condenser to said value concurrently with continued firing of the tube, actuated by said operation of the switch means.

l1. In an interval timing arrangement, a source of alternating potential, a work circuit, an electronic tube having principal electrodes in the work circuit and having a control grid, a timing condenser connected to the grid, means to maintain the condenser normally charged from source-derived potential to a Value which` normally inhibits the tube, switch means and circuit means controlled by operation of the Vswitch the contacts to impress secondary potentialonmeans to impress source-derived potential upon the work circuit, and to initiate discharge ofthe condenser, and to superimpose source-derived alternating potential on the condenser discharging potential tocause the condenser discharge poten-` tial to be of wave form and to cause the tube, after a time interval of condenserdischarging, to fire on all successive half waves of the impressed potential and energize the work circuit and maintain it energized so long as the switch meangis maintained operated, the superimposed potential being phased to cause the tube to iire at peaks of the discharging wave form potential, and means responsive to energization of the work circuit to increase the amplitude of the superimposed alternating potential to cause the condenser to recharge to said value concurrently with'continued ring of the tube and continued energizeton of the work circuit.

l2. In an interval timing arrangement, a source of alternating potential, a work circuit, an electronic tube having principal electrodes 'in the work circuit and having a control grid, a timing condenser connected at one side to the grid, and bridged by a discharge resistor, a transformer energized from the source and having a sec# ondary, a resistance-containing loop bridging a part of the secondary, a connection from the other side of the condenser to an intermediate point of the resistance of the loop, control contacts, circuit means eiective with the control con-'- tacts in normal condition to impress secondary derived charging potential upon the condenser, determined in value by the potential drop in a part ofthe loop and effective upon operation of the contacts to impress secondary potential on the work circuit and to superimpose a reduced alternating potential on the condenser derived from the secondary and determined by the potential drop in another part of the loop, to cause the condenser discharge potential to be of wave form and to fire the tube on a peak of the wave.

13. In an interval timing arrangement, a source of' alternating potential, a work circuit, an electronic tube having principal electrodes in the work circuit and having a control grid, a timing condenser connected at one side to the grid, and bridged by a discharge resistor, atransformer energized from the source and having a secondary, a resistance-containing loop bridginga part of the secondary, a connection from the other side of the condenser to an intermediate point of the resistance of the loop, control contacts, circuit means eiective with the control contacts in normal condition to 'impresssec'ondaryderived charging potential upon the condenser, determined in value by the potential drop in a part of the loop and effective upon operation of the work circuit and to superimpose a reduced y'alternating potential on the condenser derived from the secondary and determined by the potential drop in another part of the' loop, to cause the condenser discharge potential to be ofv wave form and to re'the tube on a peak of the wave, means to adjust the resistance in the said other part of the loop comprising a movable element and a logarithmic position indicating scale therefor. 14. In an interval timing arrangement, a source of alternating potential; a work circuit; an electronic tube having principal electrodes in the work circuit and having a control grid; aY timing condenser connected to the grid bridged by a discharge resistance; a transformer secondary energized from the source and comprising two parts; a flrst resistance-containing loop normally oonnected across one secondary part; a circuit normally maintaining the condenser charged to a tube inhibiting value, energized by the other secondary part and by a portion of the potential drop through the loop; an operable contactor and circuit means controlled by operation of the contactor to subject the work circuit to the potential of the transformer secondary and to initiate discharge of the condenser and to superimpose on the condenser discharging potential an alternating potential phased with the secondary potential to cause the tube to fire and energize the Work circuit at a peak of the discharging potential, after a time interval of condenser discharging, and'to maintain the Work circuit energized so long as the contactor is maintained operated; a second resistance loop; control means operable responsive to energization of the Work circuit and circuit means controlled thereby to disconnect the first loop and to connect the second loop across the other secondary part and to recharge the condenser, concurrently with continued energization of the work circuit, by potential of the said one transformer part and a portion of the potential drop through the second loop.

15. In an interval timing arrangement, a source of alternating potential; a work circuit; an electronic tube having principal electrodes in the work circuit and having a control grid; a timing condenser connected to the grid bridged by a discharge resistance; a transformer secondary energized fromV the source and comprising two parts; a rst resistance-containing loop normally connected across one secondary part; a circuit normally maintaining the condenser charged to a tube inhibiting Value, energized by the other secondary part and by a portion of the potential drop through the loop; an operable contactor and circuit means controlled by operation of the contactor to subject the work circuit to the potential of the transformer secondary and to initiate discharge of the condenser to cause the tube to nre and energize the Work circuit after a time interval of condenser discharging, and to maintain the Work circuit energized so long as the contactor is maintained operated; a second resistance loop; control means operable responsive to energization of the work circuit and circuit means controlled thereby to disconnect the rst loop and to connect the second loop across the other secondary part and to recharge the condenser, concurrently With continued energization of the Work circuit, by potential of the said one transformer part and a portion of the potential drop through the second loop,

WILLIAM FEW. 

